Description
Japanese-style chicken karaage delivers crispy, golden-brown delights that dance with umami and crunch. Marinated in soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, these tender chicken morsels promise a delectable journey through authentic Japanese street cuisine you’ll savor bite by bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Marinade and Seasonings:
- 1 (1-inch) piece of ginger, finely grated
- 3 garlic cloves, finely grated
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Hon Tsuyu (Japanese noodle soup base), such as Kikkoman
- 1 ½ teaspoons toasted sesame oil
Coating and Cooking:
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup potato starch (not potato flour)
- 2 cups neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
- Kewpie mayonnaise (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare a zesty marinade by grating fresh ginger and garlic into a mixing bowl, combining with mirin, soy sauce, hon tsuyu, and a splash of sesame oil.
- Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in the aromatic marinade, ensuring each morsel is well-saturated. Allow the chicken to rest and absorb flavors for approximately 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Remove chicken from marinade and generously dust each piece with all-purpose flour, creating a light initial coating.
- Immediately follow the flour coating by thoroughly dredging chicken in potato starch, ensuring a complete and even exterior layer that will yield an ultra-crispy texture.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok to 330°F (165°C), maintaining a consistent temperature with a cooking thermometer.
- Carefully lower chicken pieces into the hot oil in small batches, preventing overcrowding and ensuring even cooking. Fry for 2-3 minutes until a light golden color develops.
- Incrementally raise oil temperature to 350°F (175°C) and perform a second frying for approximately 1 minute, creating an exceptionally crisp exterior while guaranteeing the chicken is fully cooked.
- Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil and maintain crispiness.
- Present the golden-brown chicken karaage with fresh lemon wedges and creamy Kewpie mayonnaise as optional accompaniments for enhanced flavor.
Notes
- Discover a flavor-packed Japanese street food classic that transforms simple chicken into crispy, golden-brown delights.
- Maximize marinade magic by letting chicken soak up ginger, soy, and mirin for deep, complex taste layers.
- Quick-fry technique ensures super crunchy exterior while keeping meat incredibly juicy and tender inside.
- Perfect for party appetizers, game day snacks, or casual weeknight dinners that impress without complicated steps.
- Elevate your dish with zesty lemon wedges and creamy Kewpie mayo for an authentic Japanese street food experience.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 140mg